Dome Insights is 100% HGC (Human Generated Content) where we explore various topics, from personal and professional growth to the intricacies of construction, including cutting-edge technology and industry best practices.
We wrapped up our 4th of July weekend in the mountains in our usual fashion, deep cleaning our cabin for the next guests. Joining us this time were three friends of our 15-year-old son. They’re wonderfully capable kids… mostly. As my wife and I worked through the two-hour close-down process, the foursome mostly stood around, necks bent over their phones, only stirring when we asked them to take stuff to the car, or the garbage to the bins. As our desired departure time grew nearer and nearer, I grew increasingly frustrated with the utter lack of help. At one point, we actually asked them to lift their feet so that we could vacuum in front of the couch.
When asked to do something specific, they jumped on it. Then promptly resumed their sedentary existence.
To their credit, they have never gone through the process of closing down our cabin, so they couldn’t anticipate the needs. My wife and I are like a well-orchestrated duet moving fluidly through the process knowing exactly what each other does without saying a word. It is unfair of me to expect them to take action without our direction.
However, in this situation, there is one question they could have asked that would have removed all my frustrations, “What can I do to help?”
This episode had me thinking about the five levels of initiative.
Level 1: Wait until told.
Level 2: Ask, “What can I do to help?”
Level 3: Anticipate the need, but ask for permission to act.
Level 4: Take action, then validate immediately.
Level 5: Take action, and provide status routinely.
In situations where knowledge and experience are not available, there is always a way to start at Level 2. The boys, despite their lack of awareness of how things are done, could have floated between levels 2 and 4 and left a better impression. They could have seen what we were doing and offered to take over the basic tasks like vacuuming or wiping down the countertops, leaving the more “advanced” activities like packing the car to us.
As we embark on new chapters of our lives, be it new to an industry, or new to a role within a company, we can all start at Level 2. It’s become very clear to me that there is a direct correlation between the levels of initiative and career growth – the faster people move through the levels of initiative, the faster they grow in an organization.
Where do you see yourself along the Levels of Initiative right now? Is there room to grow? If you’re already at Level 5 in your current role, is it time to embrace a new challenge and get back to Level 2 again?
PS: To be clear, the boys are good kids. Just typical teenagers. I’m sure I was no different when I was that age. (Mental note, ask my Mom about that next time I see her. Perhaps I frustrated her too).